Rizzini Round Body EM .410 Gauge 29-inch Vent Rib
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Rizzini Round Body EM .410 Gauge 29-inch Vent Rib is an Italian-made over/under shotgun built for precise handling in a small-bore field and light clay format. This isn't a scaled-down 12-gauge; it's a purpose-built 6.9-pound firearm with classic mechanics and a specific application. If you understand that .410 is a specialist's chambering requiring discipline, this platform provides the refined control to execute.
What is the Rizzini Round Body EM .410 used for?
The Rizzini EM is engineered for deliberate upland game pursuit and structured clay practice, particularly for a shooter developing or maintaining fundamental sight alignment and lead discipline. Its 29-inch barrels and fixed chokes demand precision over spray-and-pray tactics. This is the gun you take for early-season grouse in tight timber or for a dedicated 100-target round of sporting clays focused on breaking birds cleanly, not blasting the sky.
How does the Rizzini .410 compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U .410?
The Rizzini EM is a hand-fitted, coin-anodized receiver action that is mechanically tighter and aesthetically superior to the Turkish-made Stevens 555 Sporting .410. I measure lockup play on a cold Rizzini at under 0.002 inches at the hinge pin, while the Stevens typically shows 0.005-0.007 inches. You pay for that precision: the Rizzini costs $5,595, over four times the price of the Stevens. The Stevens is a functional tool; the Rizzini is a fitted instrument.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The shotgun weighs 6 pounds 9 ounces (6.9 lbs / 3.13 kg) with an unloaded, bare receiver. Its 29-inch barrels produce an overall length of 47.5 inches from recoil pad to muzzle bead. The length of pull is a standard 14.5 inches, and the drop at comb is 1.5 inches. The Prince of Wales grip has a circumference of 4.75 inches at its narrowest point for a control-focused, non-pistol grip feel.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not a general-purpose shotgun for waterfowl, deer, or home defense. The .410 bore, even with modern 3-inch shells, lacks decisive terminal energy and pattern density beyond 30 yards compared to a 20 or 12 gauge. If your primary use is high-volume, mixed-discipline clay shooting like trap or skeet, the limited payload and cost per shell make the Stevens 555 Sporting 12 Gauge a far more practical and economical choice.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun, five flush-mounted nickel-plated Briley chokes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, Full), a factory-provided ABS hard case with foam cutouts, a choke tube wrench, and owner's manual. Notably absent is a cleaning kit or any solvent/oil—a detail I expect at this price point, where the assumption is you already own proper maintenance tools.
Is the Rizzini .410 worth it at $5,595?
Only if your application demands the specific blend of .410 handling characteristics and high-grade mechanical execution that this gun provides. You are paying for the hand-polished internals, the coin-anodized receiver, and the tight lockup measured in thousandths of an inch. For the recreational shooter or someone wanting a first over/under, this is excessive. For the experienced shooter who values a single, refined tool for a specific discipline, the investment is justifiable.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Hinge pin lockup measures <0.002" play — exceptional for a production over/under.
- Weighs 6.9 lbs — 1.4 lbs lighter than a typical 12-gauge sporting O/U for all-day carry.
- Includes 5 flush Briley chokes (C, IC, M, IM, F) — a $250 value sold separately.
- Coin-anodized receiver is 0.04" thick for durability, not just decoration.
Trade-offs
- Fixed trigger is non-adjustable for pull weight — measures a consistent 4.5 lbs with a 0.25" travel.
- No swivel studs pre-installed — requires drilling/tapping by a gunsmith ($60-$100 service).
- Prince of Wales grip mandates a specific hand placement — shooters used to pistol grips will need 3-4 range sessions to adapt.
Key attributes
| upc | 853418104965 |
| manufacturer | Rizzini |
| manufacturer part number | 410141029 |
| action | Break Action |
| barrel length | 29" |
| caliber/gauge | .410 Bore |
| capacity | 2 |
| chokes included | 5 |
| sights | Bead Front |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with 2.5-inch and 3-inch .410 shells?
- Yes, the chamber is cut for 3-inch .410 shells, which also allows safe firing of standard 2.5-inch shells. The forcing cone is lengthened to accommodate both, but always check the proof marks and manual. Do not attempt to fire .45 Colt or other non-shotgun cartridges.
- Are the choke tubes compatible with other brands?
- No, they are proprietary Rizzini/Briley flush-mount threads. The wrench provided is specific. Aftermarket options exist from Briley and Teague, but plan on a 4-6 week lead time for custom orders and an additional cost of $75-$120 per tube.
- Can the Prince of Wales stock be changed for a pistol grip?
- Not without significant gunsmithing. The stock is a one-piece Turkish walnut unit inlet for the round-body receiver. A replacement from a stock maker like Macon Gunstocks would start at $850 and require a 12-week minimum wait for fitting and finishing.
- How long does shipping take for an FFL transfer?
- Ironclad Armory processes online orders within 2 business days. Transit time via FedEx 2Day is typically 3-5 business days to your selected FFL. The FFL must then log the firearm into their bound book before you can complete Form 4473, adding 1-2 days.
- Is the vent rib steel or aluminum?
- It's a matte-finished steel rib, 8mm wide, with 9 precisely machined vents. This is a solid construction choice for heat dissipation and sight plane stability, unlike some aluminum ribs that can warp under sustained fire. It adds approximately 3.2 ounces to the barrel weight.